Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegation. I hope to be just as brief with my questions, which arise as a follow-up as I know the witnesses tried to address many of the issues. With regard to the purchasing of a bull with a rating of four or five stars, the witnesses stated that indexes will move. Has that always been stated publicly at meetings as some farmers are confused because departmental officials and officials from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation have given conflicting views? Will the witnesses confirm today that this is the case and there is no change?

With the calculation of different percentages, how is docility only given 4%? A number of farmers might say a quieter animal would thrive much more. Why is such a small percentage given in the importance of the overall scheme? The last question follows on and relates to Deputy Fitzmaurice's comment. One farmer has given an example of six animals with the same bull and dam which seem to have different ratings. Four were born in 2008 and two in 2009. Why have the indexes moved quite widely although they come from the same gene pool?

Perhaps the witnesses will be able to explain it in a way that puts people's minds at ease because the goalposts seem to be moving, which is causing confusion.